The 2025 NFL Draft will be a great event for teams to start building for their future. Here is the Jalon Walker NFL Draft Profile.
Position: Edge Rusher
School: Georgia
Size: 6-foot-1, 243 pounds
Class: Junior
2024 stats: 60 total tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, 2 passes defended, 2 fumble recoveries
Walker was a five-star prospect out of North Carolina who signed with Georgia in the class of 2022. As a freshman, he played as a reserve and on special teams, registering nine tackles and one sack. Even though he didn’t start in 2023, his role increased, as he registered 20 tackles and five sacks. His play aided the team in going 13-1 that season. He jumped into the starting lineup in 2024 and had a good season. Walker totaled 60 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks. He led the Bulldogs to an 11-3 overall record.
Following Georgia’s appearance in the College Football Playoff, Walker declared for the 2025 NFL Draft. He is a projected first-round pick.
Walker is an elite athlete for whichever position he ends up playing at the next level. He has good burst at the snap, showing off his acceleration. Walker has the speed to track down ball carriers from sideline to sideline. He is flexible as a pass rusher and is able to bend around the edge.
His versatility will be great for some teams. Walker can play the run well with the ability to shed blocks and pursue the ball with good speed. He also has some experience in coverage and can be a quarterback spy. Walker is at his best when he is rushing the passer, where his athleticism is a mismatch for most offensive linemen. If used the right way, Walker can be a very impactful player.
While he is smaller, Walker has shown that he can deconstruct and shed blocks well. Walker has enough strength and technique to overcome relative lack of length to shed. This allows him to go track down ball carriers in the run game. He is also able to use his strength, technique and athleticism to shed pass blockers well and get to the quarterback.
Walker is best as an edge rusher, but lacks the size of other pass rushers in the league. He is just 6-foot-1 with 32-inch arms. His frame is filled out, as he weighs in at 243 pounds. Walker will have to win with athleticism and strength, as he is unlikely to be able to win because of his reach with his shorter arms. His lack of size as an edge rusher could make teams move him down their board.
His versatility is nice, but Walker has to be used the right way to reach his full potential. He could be a tweener and his split reps in college between linebacker and edge rusher might make him feel that way for NFL teams. Walker may need to be used as a linebacker on early downs and then as an edge rusher on pass-rushing downs, which could make it tough for him to develop at one spot.
There are times when Walker can read and diagnose the play quicker. He plays fast, but reading plays quicker can make him play even faster. This particularly effects him when he is playing off-ball linebacker, but can impact him when he is on the edge as well. More reps, at both positions, can help him in this regard.
Projected Draft Range: First Round Pick
Draft Grade: First Round Pick
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